The Backstage Beat would like to offer our condolences to Ronnie Hammond’s family and friends.

Tomorrow, March 18th they will gather to celebrate his life and lay him to rest.

Funeral services will be held at 1P.M., Friday, March 18, 2011 at Maynard Baptist Church, 1195 Juliette Road, Forsyth, GA 31029 with burial in Monroe Memorial Gardens.  Michael Wilds will officiate.  The family will greet friends from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of the funeral at the church.

We got to know Atlanta Rhythm Section as they are now throughout 2010 and although we never met Ronnie personally we’ve known his voice.

He will live on forever in the music of Atlanta Rhythm Section and in the hearts of friends like Steve Stone.

Steve talked to us today and this is what he said about Ronnie:

“First I was a fan from when they started going strong in the 70’s. Then I was a band mate which through years of traveling and recording turned into being more like family. Ronnie was the most naturally gifted musician I have ever played with. Everything he did musically as well as in life was from the heart. About a month ago we were texting each other and he said, ‘Steve you are always in my heart’. That will always stay with me and he will always be in mine.”

 

Ronald William “Ronnie” Hammond -FORSYTH – Ronald William “Ronnie” Hammond died Monday, March 14, 2011. Funeral services will be held at 1P.M., Friday, March 18, 2011 at Maynard Baptist Church, 1195 Juliette Road, Forsyth, GA 31029 with burial in Monroe Memorial Gardens. Michael Wilds will officiate. The family will greet friends from 11:00 A.M. until the hour of the funeral at the church.

Ronnie was born November 10, 1950, in Macon, Georgia. His father, James Murray Hammond and his mother, Marie Martin Hammond Hester, preceded him in death. Ronnie was a retired musician and carpenter. He was the former lead singer of the Atlanta Rhythm Section. ARS had several regional and national hits during the 1970s. Ronnie left the band in the early 1980s to be at home with his new son and family. During his years off the road, he continued to write music, with songwriting partner and producer Buddy Buie. He rejoined the group in 1987. Ronnie was an avid baseball fan and loved “The Beatles”.

Survivors include his wife, Tracey Hammond of Forsyth; son, Jesse Hammond (Katie) of Macon; brothers, Jerry Martin (Sherrill) of Macon, Jimmy Hammond (Debra) of Franklin, Tennessee, Steve Hammond (Kim) of Juliette; sisters, Fay Baker (John) of Valdosta, and Angie Myers (Johnny) of Watts, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Maddie Knight and Allie Hammond.

The family may be contacted at the residence of Jim and Louise Wilds, 903 Sutton Road, Forsyth, GA 31029 or the residence of Steve and Kim Hammond, 156 Marvin Circle, Juliette, GA 31046.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made “In Memory of Ronnie Hammond” to Monroe County Memorial Chapel, 156 Marvin Circle, Juliette, GA 31046. -Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express tributes.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements.

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Published in The Telegraph on March 17, 2011